Page 84 of Cursed By Gold

I consider her words. Having the underground network on my side could be beneficial. "I believe an arrangement could be reached, with careful negotiations. I will have my advisors draw up an initial draft come morning."

Fairy Godmother smiles. "Excellent. With our powers combined, your rule will usher in a new golden era."

“Golden era? Really Fairy Godmother?” Scarlet groans.

The woman only shares a wide grin that reaches her eyes. She’s clearly pleased with herself for that.

We shake hands solemnly. I feel Scarlet's tension abate with relief. clearly this accord carries significance for her as well. I make a mental note to inquire after their full history later.

Fairy Godmother rises, smoothing her skirts. "Well, I believe I've taken enough of your time for one evening. We can finalize details later."

I stand as well, clasping her hand warmly. "Of course. I look forward to a prosperous alliance."

With a gracious smile, she takes her leave, exiting the study in a swirl of emerald brocade.

I turn back to Scarlet, who moves to follow. But I step swiftly to the door, blocking her path with one arm braced above her head. She gazes up at me, lips parted in surprise.

"Leaving so soon, my lady?" I murmur, leaning close. "The night has only just begun."

Scarlet's eyes darken. "The guests will wonder where we've gone," she protests weakly.

"Let them wonder," I breathe, tracing one fingertip along her collarbone. Her breath hitches. Taking advantage, I capture her lips in a searing kiss, backing her against the door.

She responds fervently, hands tangling in my hair. I trail kisses down her jaw, nipping at her neck. My fingers skim her leg, lifting the skirt up to bare one creamy thigh.

I pause, spotting an intriguing mark. A crescent moon with a woman sitting on the end. If you knew what you were looking for it would look like a capital G. I trace it, sensing subtle magic. So she’s a member too. I was correct.

"Well now...it seems you have your own secrets, my dear," I murmur.

Scarlet tenses. I tilt her chin up gently. "It's alright. I suspected as much already." I kiss her reassuringly. "But later, I would like hear the full tale."

She relaxes with a sigh, kissing me lingeringly. There is clearly more to her past than I realized. But I only find myself even more intrigued.

Together

Scarlet

Heat floods my veins as Remme traces the mark on my thigh, his fingers leaving trails of fire across my skin. He knows my secret - my affiliation with the underground guild.

I tense, holding my breath. But his tender kiss reassures me. He's not angry, merely intrigued by this new revelation. And still desires me fiercely, if the smoldering look in his eyes is any indication.

"Later," I acquiesce breathily, twining my arms around his neck to pull him into a fervent kiss. Explanations can wait - right now I need to feel him against me.

His hands resume their sensual exploration, pulling up my skirts and pulling down my undergarments to caress the smooth skin of my hips and backside. I gasp against his mouth, molding my body to his. Two can play at this game.

I undo the clasps of his shirt, slipping my hands inside to splay across the hard muscular planes of his chest. He groansappreciatively. I rake my nails lightly down his torso, eliciting a pleasured shudder from him.

"Minx," he growls, nipping my earlobe in retaliation. I whimper, arching into him. His knee nudges between my legs and I grind shamelessly against his thigh, chasing that sweet friction.

Remme brackets me against the door with his body, hands roaming everywhere, stoking my desire to an inferno. I fumble with the laces of his breeches, needing to feel him.

"Scarlet..." he rasps in warning, even as his hips rock involuntarily against mine.

"Please, Remme," I gasp, reckless with desire. Propriety is the furthest thing from my mind. I need him, now. The tension and all of the touching has had me feel as if I was on fire for weeks.

With a groan of surrender, his mouth claims mine again in a bruising kiss. Just a little longer, I tell myself deliriously. The guests can wait.

I gasp as Remme's thigh presses deliciously against me, the friction sending sparks of pleasure through my core. My hands grip his shoulders for support as I grind harder, chasing release. A particularly skillful swivel of his leg has me crying out, so close to the edge.